Engine control device

Abstract

Provided is an engine control device that can suppress an increase in PM/PN in an engine that performs a catalyst warm-up mode. To do so, the engine control device according to the present invention synchronously controls ignition timing and an actual compression ratio of the engine in the catalyst warm-up mode.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus that controls an engine including variable valves or including a mechanism for making a piston stroke variable, comprising:
 an engine control device that includes programing which when executed performs a catalyst warm-up mode that activates a catalyst, the catalyst cleaning up exhaust of the engine, wherein
 the engine control device also includes programing which when executed synchronously controls ignition timing of the engine and an actual compression ratio of the engine for when the catalyst warm-up mode is performed, and 
 when the catalyst warm-up mode is completed or when a temperature of the engine is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the actual compression ratio is increased as an amount of advancing the ignition timing relative to a top dead center of the engine increases. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the engine control device also includes programing which when executed increases an amount of retard of the ignition timing with respect to top dead center of the engine and increases the actual compression ratio, when performing the catalyst warm-up mode. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the engine control device controls the actual compression ratio by variably controlling opening/closing timing of the variable valves, or controls the actual compression ratio by variably controlling the piston stroke. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the engine control device also includes programing which when executed controls the actual compression ratio by bringing intake valve closing timing of the variable valves to bottom dead center of the engine, or controls the actual compression ratio by increasing the piston stroke. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the engine control device also includes programing which when executed increases the actual compression ratio for when the catalyst warm-up mode is performed, compared with an actual compression ratio for when the engine is stopped or an actual compression ratio for when the engine is combusted. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the apparatus controls an engine including variable valves, 
 the engine control device also includes programing which when executed obtains, from a sensor that measures an inclination angle of an automobile with respect to a road surface, the inclination angle, the engine being mounted on the automobile, and 
 when the inclination angle is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, upon performing the catalyst warm-up mode, the engine control device increases an amount of retard of the ignition timing with respect to top dead center of the engine, brings intake valve closing timing of the variable valves to bottom dead center of the engine, and moves exhaust valve closing timing of the variable valves away from top dead center of the engine.